Combined desk and safe



Dec. 29, 1953 H. E. GLOTFELTER COMBINED DESK AND SAFE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1952 9. m nw m /7 m 8 mm R mm 8 low on all um MN. mm. R MP vm O Q J Inventor Herman E. Gloifelfer 2mm aka 5 Em Dec. 29, 1953 H. E. GLOTFELTER COMBINED DESK AND SAFE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1952 Inventor Herman E. Gloffelter W a Attorneys Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED srArss serum OFFICE COMBINED DESK-AND SAFE .HermanEzGlotfelter,lndianapolisglnd.

ApplicationMarch 17, 1952, Serial No. 277,019

11 .Claim. 1

"Thepresent invention relates-to new and useful improvements in desks and more particularly to a desk structure whereby a safe is concealed in theidesk.

"An important'object'of the present invention is to provide a flat top desk which presents a norma1 conventional appearance when in use and in a portion of which a safe is mounted in a concealed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a desk of this character provided with a sliding top arranged to uncover the safe to provide access thereto.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel locking means for securing the top against sliding movement.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the sliding top in closed position to conceal the safe;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the sliding top in open position to expose the safe;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through one end of the desk and safe mounted therein;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the track for the sliding top;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the sliding bolts for securing the top in closed position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified desk and safe construction with the imitation drawers at one side of the desk in open position to expose the safe, andv Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the imitation drawers in closed position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and first with respect to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the numeral 5 designates a conventional type of flat top desk provided with a kneehole opening 6 at each side of which sliding drawers 7 are provided. The upper portion of the opening 6 is also provided with a sliding drawer 8 and the top of the desk is shown at 9.

Fronttandrear' longitudinally extending tubular trackslfi and I I are secured in the upper'portiona'of the desk under'the-top 9 by means'of longitudinally :extendingfianges 12 at the side edges of the rails secured to aportion of the desk frame It by screws or the like M.

The upper edge of the tracks l0 and II are open and slidably positioned therein are cylindrical rails [5 formed at their upper portions with flanges [6 for securing the rails to the underside of the top 9 by the screws or the like [1, the top 9 thus being mounted for longitudinal sliding movement at one side of the desk in a manner as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing to ex ose a safe It mounted in a chamber I9 at one side of the desk behind the drawers 1. The safe I8 is preferably of a combination type of conventional construction.

The sliding top 9 is secured in its closed position by means of a pair of bolts and 2| slidably mounted in the ends of a tubular guide 22 positioned transversely of the desk at the upper portion thereof, the bolts being projected outwardly at the front and rear ends of the guide 22 by means of a coil spring 23 positioned in the guide behind the bolts. The bolts are adapted to enter openings 24 in the sides of the track in to enter recesses 25 in the sides of the rails I5 when aligned with the opening 24.

A front arm 26 is pivoted intermediate its ends as shown at 21 to a part of the desk above the sliding drawers 8 with one end of the arm 28 pivoted to the front bolt 20 by means of a pin and slot 28 and 29. The other end of the arm 26 is pivoted to the front end of a lever 30 which is normally concealed by the drawer 8 when the latter is in its closed position.

A rear arm 3| is pivoted intermediate its ends to the rear end of the lever 30 and has one end pivotally attached to the rear bolt 2| by a pin and slot 32 and 33. The other end of the arm 2! is pivoted to a part of the desk as shown at 34.

In the operation of the device, after opening the drawer 8, access is then afiorded to the knob 35 provided at the front end of the lever 30 whereby the lever 30 may be pulled forwardly and thus cause a retracting movement of the front and rear bolts 26 and 2| to release the rails I5 and thus permit sliding movement of the top 9 toward one side of the desk to expose the safe l8.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 the desk 35 is provided with a stationary top 36 and a hinged door 31 at one side concealing a safe 38 in a compartment 39 be- 3 hind the door. The outer surface of the door is constructed with handles 40 to imitate sliding drawers.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A fiat top desk having a, compartment at one side adapted to contain a safe, a sliding top on the desk providing a closure for the compartment and affording access to the safe, a pair of tracks mounted in the desk, rails carried by the top slidably carried by the tracks, a locking bolt engageable with each rail to secure the top against sliding movement, and a concealed manipulating member for the bolt, said manipulating member comprising a pair of arms each pivotally secured at one end to a corresponding bolt, one arm being pivotally secured at its other end to the desk, the other arm being pivota-lly secured at an intermediate portion to the desk, and a lever pivotally secured to an intermediate portion of said one arm and pivotally secured to the other end of said other arm.

HERMAN E. GLOTFELTER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 112,083 Shaw Feb. 21, 1871 825,695 Beaudet July 10, 1906 1,098,013 Burton May 26, 1914 1,895,558 Crone Nov. 1, 1921 1,411,660 Howson Apr. 4, 1922 2,328,019 Jones Aug. 31, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 211,492 Germany Mar. 12, 1908 

